Part 17 (1/2)
Esme was nowhere about, but I didn't think of looking for him then, for I thought he'd probably joined one of the other men. Later I got worried, and we started a search. He wasn't in our camp. No one had seen him.
”We waited and wondered. I prayed. Then I found a little scribbled note knocking about among my things.
”We never found any trace even of him or the smallest clue, just the note; that's all I have left of Esme. Here it is:
'You've tried to tell me your opinion of the trick I played on an enemy. In any other arm of the service what I did would have gone, been all right, been smart. Isn't that what you meant, Marston? But with our boys, because we've chosen to have a different, a higher standard, because we fight cleanly, what I did was-dirty. Well, I understand. You and the other men _are_ different; I'm not, but I can pay. I'm going back. Don't try to stop me before I reach their lines. You can't. I go to render unto Caesar. A life for a life. To give them at least my death, since I can no longer offer even that proudly to France.'
”There has been bravery and heroism in the war, but Esme went back; he knew to what-yet he went.
”G.o.d grant he is dead! I tried to make words express an inexpressible thing. All my life to live out-remembering, knowing I killed my friend!”
Perhaps Marston went on speaking; I don't know. I only remember the broken stem of his gla.s.s, the stain that was spreading slowly over the white cloth, and the dripping, dripping red of his hands.
IMAGINATION
_By_ GORDON HALL GEROULD From _Scribner's Magazine_ _Copyright, 1918, by Charles Scribner's Sons._ _Copyright, 1919, by Gordon Hall Gerould._
As I gave my coat and hat to the boy, I caught sight of Orrington, waddling into the farther reaches of the club just ahead of me. ”Here's luck!” I thought to myself, and with a few hasty strides overtook him.
It is always good luck to run upon Harvey Orrington during the hour when he is loafing before dinner. In motion he resembles a hippopotamus, and in repose he produces the impression that the day is very hot, even in midwinter. But one forgets his red and raw corpulency when he has settled at ease in a big chair and begun to talk. Then the qualities that make him the valuable man he is, as the literary adviser of the Speedwell Company, come to the surface, and with them those perhaps finer attributes that have given him his reputation as a critic.
Possibly the contrast between his Falstaffian body and his nicely discriminating mind gives savor to his comment on art and life; but in any case his talk is as good in its way as his essays are in theirs.
Read his ”Retrospective Impressions” if you wish to know what I mean-only don't think that his colloquial diction is like the fine-spun phrasing of his essays. He inclines to be slangy in conversation.
I overtook Orrington, as I say, before he had reached his accustomed corner, and I greeted him with a becoming deference. He is fifteen years my senior, after all.
”h.e.l.lo,” he said, turning his rather dull eyes full upon me. ”Chasing will-o'-the-wisps this afternoon?”
”I've been pursuing you. If you call that-”
”Precision forbids! It can't have been will-o'-the-wisps.” Orrington shook his head with utter solemnity. ”I don't know just what their figure is, but I'm sure it's not like mine. Come along and save my life, won't you?”
”With pleasure. I hoped you might be free.”
”Free as the air of a department-store elevator-yes. I've got to meet Reynolds here. He's waiting for me yonder. You know Reynolds?”
”Yes, I know him.”
Every one knows Reynolds, I need hardly say-every one who can compa.s.s it. The rest of the world knows his books. Reynolds makes books with divine unconcern and profuseness: almost as a steel magnate makes steel.
He makes them in every kind, and puts them out with a fine flourish, so that he is generally regarded as master of all the literary arts. People buy his output, too, which is lucky for Reynolds but perhaps less fortunate for literature; they buy his output-that is the only word to use-by the boxful, apparently. An edition in his sight is but as the twinkling of an eye before it is sold out. One can't wonder that Reynolds is a little spoiled by all this, though he must have been a good fellow to begin with. He's really a kind-hearted and brave man now, but he takes himself too seriously. He is sometimes a bore. Only that he would never recognize the portrait I am making of him, I should hardly dare to say what I am saying. Physically, he is undistinguished: he looks like a successful lawyer of a dark athletic type who has kept himself fit with much golf and who has got the habit of wearing his golfing-clothes to town. It is his manner that sets him apart from his fellows.
”I'm glad you know him.” Orrington chuckled as we drew near the corner where Reynolds was already seated. ”I'd hate to be the innocent cause of your introduction.”
Reynolds rose and extended gracious hands to the two of us. ”You add to my pleasure by bringing our friend,” he said to Orrington.
I fear that I acknowledged the compliment by looking foolish. It was Orrington's corner that we were invading, if it was any one's, and, in any case, Reynolds doesn't own the club.
”I need tea to support my anaemia,” said Orrington gruffly. ”If the rest of you wish strong drink, however, I'm not unwilling to order it.
They've got a new lot of extremely old Bourbon, I am informed, that had to be smuggled out of Kentucky at dead of night for fear of a popular uprising. I should like to watch the effect of it on one or both of you.”